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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Philadelphia, PA vs Arlington, TX

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Philadelphia spends 378.1% more per capita than Arlington ($44,503/person difference). Arlington, TX has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 83/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Philadelphia, PA
Pop. 1,593,208
D
45/100
Budget Balance17
Debt Burden53
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, TX
Pop. 393,469
A
83/100
Budget Balance78
Debt Burden96
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity89
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Philadelphia
Arlington
Total Spending
$89.7B
$4.6B
Spending / Capita
$56,272
$11,769
Total Revenue
$64.4B
$23.8B
Revenue / Capita
$40,425
$60,454
Total Debt
$1.7B
$233.8M
Debt / Capita
$1,069
$594
Population
1,593,208
393,469
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Philadelphia$1,505
Arlington$0
Fire Protection
Philadelphia$7,082
Arlington$160
Highways & Roads
Philadelphia$1,215
Arlington$149
Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia$593
Arlington$1,352
Health
Philadelphia$229
Arlington$219

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaArlington
Sales Tax
$107
$507
Income Tax
$8
$73
Intergovernmental
$6,288
$25,062
Charges & Fees
$2,790
$2,949
Other
$4,029
$3,897

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PhiladelphiaArlington
Police
$1,505
$0
Fire Protection
$7,082
$160
Highways & Roads
$1,215
$149
Public Welfare
$1,456
$826
Health
$229
$219
Hospitals
$4,048
$152
Parks & Recreation
$593
$1,352
Housing
$4,902
$2,981
Sewerage
$325
$141
Utilities
$4,222
$1,385
Interest on Debt
$3
$0
Other
$30,692
$4,404
D
Philadelphia, PA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Arlington, TX
Fiscal Health Score: 83/100
Excellent fiscal health

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